Rugby League in America to finally be unified?

The long-standing civil war in American Rugby League looks to finally be at its conclusion, after the RLIF confirmed only one party applied to become a constituent member for the country.

The AMNRL and the USARL have both been running competitions simultaneously for a number of years but, after no AMNRL competition was launched this year, Australian journalist Steve Mascord has reported that the AMNRL will now not apply for membership – leaving the USARL as the only party standing in American Rugby League.

RLIF chairman Nigel Wood commented: “The RLIF is committed to taking the sport forward in the Americas and to capitalise on the gains being made there, especially with the next World Cup in 2017, and its qualification process, in mind.”

“There is a clear willingness on the ground in the USA to take the sport forward and enhance its presence in the nation’s passionate sporting consciousness, in an all-inclusive manner.”

“We will be using all of our energy and resource to bring together all people and organisations who share this vision as far as we possibly can.”

Wood added: “The RLIF would like to formally acknowledge the invaluable contributions made towards to cause of rugby league in the USA by the founding fathers such as David Niu. Their tireless efforts should not be underestimated and a fitting legacy would be a thriving domestic competition and a consistently competitive national side. We hope that both are within reach.”

The AMNRL fielded USA Tomahawks sides for their recent international fixtures, but with just one party vying for control of the game in America, it means the RLIF can now potentially grant full member status to the United States of America.

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